miércoles, 27 de enero de 2016

Offerings to the Gods of Warrios at the Kashima Shrine Dojo. Kashimashinden Jikishinkageryu is a traditional school (koryū) of the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship (kenjutsu). Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū can be translated as the "divinely transmitted, honest reflection of the heart, school of Kashima."

domingo, 24 de enero de 2016

Although the Katana, or “long sword”, is widely recognized as the archetypal Samurai weapon, this was not the only tool in their vast arsenal. Their weapons ranged from the usual swords and knives, to bows, staffs, chain weapons and even seemingly harmless items such as fans and hairpins.

Samurai Weapons:

Katana (Long Sword): The definitive samurai weapon. The katana was central to the samurai’s arsenal and was treated with the utmost respect; some samurai went so far as to name their sword and treat it as if it were a living being.

Wakizashi (Side Sword): The secondary sword used by a samurai.Tanto (Short Sword/Dagger): The smallest sword carried by the samurai, meant for close quarters combat. Also used in seppuku, the ritual suicide used to regain honor through death.

Yumi (Long Bow): A long bow used by the samurai, often on horseback.

Kama (Sickle): Originally intended for use as a farming tool, the samurai also employed the kama as a deadly weapon.

Bo, Hanbo, and Tanbo (Staff Weapons): The Bo is the longest staff used by the samurai, with the Hanbo being about half the length of a full-sized Bo. The Tanbo were shorter still and meant to be used as a pair.

Tessen (Iron Fan): The Tessen is a metal fan with razor sharp edges carried by the samurai wherever his other weapons were not allowed; in essence one of the first concealed weapons employed by the samurai class.

Kansashi (Pointed Hairpin): The Kansashi were hairpins mostly used by the women of the samurai class. They were easily concealed in a woman’s long hair but could be removed and the pointed ends used as a weapon in case of emergency.

Samurai Armor: Yoroi (Japanese Suit of Armor): The Yoroi was the Japanese suit of armor employed by the samurai to protect them in battle. Unlike the one or two piece suits used by knights in medieval Europe, the Yoroi consisted of many moving parts, allowing a wider range of movement with relative ease.
Taken from http://japaneseweapons.org/samurai/weapons-and-armor/ a post by Haddiqa Ismail - January 22, 2016

Kendo
is a modern Japanese Martial art which literally means “the way of the sword”.
It has been formally introduced in the Philippines with the foundation of the
Manila Kendo Club in the 90s. Though a popular sport which is being practiced
around the world, a lot of misconceptions are still going around about the
nature of this martial art. These misconceptions stem mainly from the portrayal
of the Japanese art of sword fighting by various popular anime series. If you
think Kendo is Samurai X, then you have to consider knowing these facts
first before sporting yourself a shiny:

1.
IT’S REALLY NOISY.

Do
you remember martial arts fight scenes when the fighter shouts in his stance?
Yes, that’s pretty much it. Kendo players scream at the top of their lungs or
make bellowing sounds before or as they charge towards their opponent. This is
called kiai. In Kendo, a loud and fierce kiai is equated to a
player’s strong fighting power. The louder and fiercer, the better. Kiai
is also one of the points being considered in a Kendo tournament. For this
matter, Kendo is considered one of the noisiest martial arts. If you are
looking for a Zen sport, Kendo is definitely not for you.

2.
PREPARE TO GET BLISTERS.

Expect
to get blisters on your soles– lots of it. The fundamental techniques and moves
in this sport basically require good footwork. And the most basic stance
involves a smooth, sliding footwork. You train and fight barefoot. So it is
just natural to develop blisters on your soles as early as your first day of
training. Accuracy and precision in charging stances are even attributed to
excellent footwork. If, by the end of the day you have your soles some thick
blisters, then you may actually be doing things right. That means your footwork
is on the right track! As the sensei usually says (or screams), “Let
them bleed!”

3.
YES, YOU WILL CLEAN.

If
at home you never even bothered to pick up the mop or broom for some domestic
productivity, then it’s about time you learn your manners. The dojo is a
revered place for training. And dojos should always be kept clean, whether
before, during, or after the training.

So
it is customary practice for each Kendo trainee to mop the floor the Japanese
way, that is, body bent and head bowed with a wet rag on both hands while
traversing back and forth the wide dojo floor – until it is squeaky clean. As
with other martial arts, discipline is a core virtue.

4.
IT IS PHYSICALLY INTENSE.

Prepare
to sweat real hard. And get body aches. As with other martial arts, Kendo is
physically demanding and involves strenuous physical activities. And as a
fighting sport, be ready to get hurt. Even when you are already wearing your bogu
(full body armor), there are a number of possibilities and chances for you
to get hit hard with a shinai (bamboo sword) especially when a strike
accidentally lands on an unprotected area of your body. Displeasing your sensei
will also do you no good. Therefore, expect nothing less when practice sparring
without an armor.

5. SENSEIS
ARE AWESOME.

You
will be training under the tutelage of world-renowned, elite senseis
(masters). Although assistant instructors may be in the range of 3rd dan to 4th
dan level, Kendo clubs are usually supervised and led by 6th to 8th dan
Japanese senseis. There are only a few high-ranking Kendo practitioners
in Japan and in the whole world. So senseis higher than 6th dan are
really rare. Training under these highly respected senseis is truly an
honor and a very rare opportunity.

6.
KENDO KNOWS NO AGE.

If
you think that only teens and young adults are into Kendo, then think again. Or
better yet, go to a Kendo dojo and see for yourself. Kendo practitioners have
ages ranging from 6 to 65 years old, male and female. So you need not be
shocked if training with you are the kids next door and your friend’s grandpa.
But as commonly observed, a good percentage of Kendo practitioners belong to
the older age groups, an indication of the sport’s health and physical
benefits.

7.
RANKING EXAMS ARE TOUGH.

Yes,
even in martial arts you will take exams. And they are never easy. Aside from
the rigorous routine physical training, you will need to pass several exams to
be allowed to wear the revered bogu and be authorized to join sparring
sessions and tournaments. From then on, you will also need to pass the
subsequent ranking exams to be promoted to higher kyu and dan
ranks.

8.
YOU FIGHT INTERNATIONAL.

Most
Kendo clubs are members of the International Kendo Federation (IKF) and are
regularly invited to Kendo tournaments outside the country. These tournaments
are usually the highlight of the year for Kendo clubs and their members.
International championships are held all over the world. In Asia, championships
are usually held in Hong Kong and Singapore and are participated by most Asian
countries. In these tournaments, you will witness the best teams fight, and win
the coveted cup.

9.
IT’S AN INVESTMENT.

Not
all martial arts are created equal, especially when it comes to investments.
Unlike other martial arts, Kendo is a fighting sport which requires accessories
and protective armor. And these are a bit pricey. This is primarily because the
accessories, the uniform, and the complete set of protective gear are made from
special raw materials and are usually directly purchased from Japan. So if
you are a Kendoka-wannabe, just a friendly tip – prepare to invest.

10.
YOU ARE NOT SAMURAI X.

Though
majority of younger Kendo club members’ reason for joining is the anime series Samurai
X, it is with utmost apologies to say that being a Kendoka doesn’t make you
Kenshin Himura. You won’t fly and learn the Hitten Mitsurugi technique.
Though SamuraiX is a personal favorite and has truly been a
great inspiration to many, there is more to Kendo than the idea of it. Kendo is
a special martial art which teaches one on the right way of the sword, as well
as the core discipline, form, art, and life that comes with it. Kendo is a way
of life.

The relationship between martial arts and autism has been getting a lot of attention in the past decade. With a constant search for effective therapies and activities for autistic children, the martial arts have begun to establish themselves as a positive aid in the lives of autistic kids. Many studies have shown what we, as martial artists, have known for a while. A 2010 study by the University of Wisconsin found that martial arts and autism go well together; autistic children were a lot more social with their peers, their physical coordination improved, as did their self-esteem.

Classical Samurai military arts are quite different from most modern derivations. Many of the things that make up these differences are very subtle. This video is from a weekend seminar that I taught at the River of Life Dojo in Fort Washington, PA. There is much here to learn, contemplate, and understand. It is not just valuable for your martial arts practice it is valuable for your life.

jueves, 14 de enero de 2016

A dojo is a place (jo) to practice the way (do) of martial arts. It is a space that allows us to set aside the stresses and concerns from the rest of our lives and to focus on our training. Please bring a heightened degree of awareness and respect with you into the dojo.Some guidelines for ideal behaviour in the dojo are:a) Always maintain an attitude of respect, compassion and thoughtfulness towards your training partners. Regardless of your level of experience, remember that there are important lessons to be learned from people who are senior and junior to you. If you maintain this attitude, aikido can be a safe and enjoyable practice for women and men of all ages and levels of physical strengthb) Please remove your shoes before entering the dojo and leave them on the racks outside the door. Also, please remove your hat before entering the dojo.c) When entering or leaving the dojo, please give a standing bow towards the shomen (the front of the dojo). When stepping on or off the mat, it is also customary to kneel and bow towards the shaman.d) Please make a habit of arriving to class on time. If you need to arrive late, bow to the shomen then sit in quietly in seiza (kneeling) at the side of the mat until the instructor invites you to join the class.e) For the safety of yourself and others, please make a habit of keeping your fingernails and toenails trimmed, and keeping long hair tied back. Also, please remove all jewelry prior to practice.f) Please do not bring food or drink into the dojo.g) Do not leave anything behind that you brought into the dojo. If you see items that have been left by other users of our space, please take the initiative to help clean up. We should always leave the dojo at least as clean as when we enter it.h) In training, it is customary for the more experienced partner to take the first turn as nage (the one who throws or executes the technique), while the less experienced partner acts as uke (the one who attacks or is thrown).i) When the teacher is demonstrating or talking, sit quietly in seiza (kneeling) or cross-legged. Please do not lean against the wall or sit with your back turned on the shomen. When the teacher has finished demonstrating it is customary to bow.j) Please keep talking during practice to a minimum.k) If somebody new enters the dojo, they should be welcomed by a senior student, so that the instructor can maintain their focus on the class.More in: http://japaneseweapons.org/lifestyle/what-should-be-your-behavior-in-the-dojo/

lunes, 11 de enero de 2016

Process of Clay Tempering a Tanto Blade (crew: me and a camera on a tripod)

Once the steel is shaped as much as possible in its softer state, it is coated with a thin layer of clay along the edge and a thicker layer on the body and spine. During the hardening process, the split second difference in cooling time caused by the clay layer creates two different hardness areas in the same piece of steel. The edge cools faster and forms a very hard steel structure called martensite while the body cools slower and forms a very tough steel structure made of ferrite and pearlite. The boundary between these two areas is called hamon and is commonly seen as a frosted wavy line down the length of a polished sword blade.

When the clay is fully dry, a charcoal fire is used to heat the steel slowly and evenly, taking care not to overheat any part of it. First the spine is heated to bring the whole blade to just below temperature, and then it is flipped over to focus heat on the edge. When the entire edge is at the correct temperature, it is plunged into a hot water bath, edge down, and held until cool (yaki-ire). The hardness is checked with a file and the process repeated if necessary. After hardening, the clay is removed and the steel is heated slightly again to remove some of the internal stresses (yaki-modoshi). Once this process is finished, and if the steel survives, the blade is ready for Togi, hand polishing.

domingo, 10 de enero de 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin showed off his legendary judo skills as he sparred with the Russian national team and its head coach Ezio Gamba. Putin, a black belt in the sport, was taking part in a session in the southern city of Sochi on Friday. Whether the presidents of Spain speak languages other than Spanish and play sports other than mus we would look more favored.

sábado, 9 de enero de 2016

From the medieval epics of Akira Kurosawa to the space operas of George Lucas, the samurai have long inspired us with stories of their legendary swords and superhuman skills. Nowadays, when we think of samurai, we imagine invincible warriors like Miyamoto Musashi nimbly wielding super-sharp swords, slicing through ninjas and catching blades with their bare hands.

But how much of that is actually true? To test these myths, we asked Samurai Swordsmanship authors Masayuki Shimabukuro and Carl E. Long to answer the most common questions we receive about Japanese swords.

Samurai Myth No. 1: A good samurai sword will slice through a silk scarf that’s dropped on the blade.

Samurai Fact: The katana and other Japanese swords are designed to slice objects as the blade is pulled across the target. If an object is simply dropped on the blade, it’s very unlikely that any slicing action will occur. That’s why so many exhibitions that involve walking on swords are possible. As long as there’s no sliding action, the blade rarely cuts. If a scarf is allowed to slide across the edge, the material could be cut. This myth has been carried over from a story about a Damascus blade owned by Saladin.

Samurai Myth No. 2: A katana can chop a regular sword in half.Samurai Fact: Any steel sword can break if it’s struck at the wrong angle. Chopping one in half, however, is highly unlikely.

Samurai Myth No. 3: In battle, Japanese swordsmen would use the edge of the blade to block their enemy’s attacks.Samurai Fact: The edge of the blade was often used to block an opponent’s attack. However, most swordsmen would fend off an attack by launching a pre-emptive strike or receiving the attack on the side of the blade. This was preferable to blocking with the ha(cutting edge).

Samurai Myth No. 4: It’s possible to stop a downward sword strike by trapping the blade between your palms.Samurai Fact: This is highly implausible and definitely not recommended.

Samurai Myth No. 5: Thinking that it’s better to lose an arm than lose his life, a samurai was taught to block a downward slash with his forearm held overhead at a 45-degree angle.Samurai Fact: A katana or tachi is quite capable of slicing through an arm in a single stroke. At that time in history, losing an arm usually meant death.

Samurai Myth No. 6: In ancient Japan, samurai often fought against ninja.Samurai Fact: This is more myth and legend than fact.

Samurai Myth No. 7: A samurai wasn’t allowed to place his sword back into its scabbard without first drawing blood.Samurai Fact: Not true.

Samurai Myth No. 8: The steel in some swords is composed of thousands of folded layers.Samurai Fact: Each time the sword smith folds the steel, the layers are multiplied. It’s not uncommon to have as many as 32,000 layers.

Samurai Myth No. 9: The bo hi (often translated as “blood groove”) is designed to channel blood out of the opponent’s body.Samurai Fact: This is a common misconception. The bo hi is designed to lighten the blade while maintaining a large degree of structural integrity. It was sometimes used to hide flaws in a defective blade.

Samurai Myth No. 10: Thousands of samurai swords were thrown into the ocean when Japan surrendered to the United States at the end of World War II.Samurai Fact: Many blades were destroyed by Allied forces at the end of the war. Some of them may have been cast into the sea from aboard ships, as were many other weapons.